Welcome back to Term 4! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break and is ready for the busy and exciting weeks ahead. I’m currently stepping into the role of Acting Principal for the first three weeks of term while Mrs Sue Hartley is on leave. It’s been wonderful to see our students return with such enthusiasm, and I look forward to supporting our school community during this time.

Curriculum Day – Monday 6th October

We started Term 4 with a Curriculum Day, where our staff engaged in professional learning focused on the Department’s updated literacy practices. Teachers spent time exploring these new approaches, planning collaboratively, and considering what they will look like in our classrooms moving forward. It was a fantastic day filled with rich discussion and new learning. This important work will continue throughout Term 4 as we refine and strengthen our literacy teaching practices.

Curriculum Day - Monday 3rd November

Our next Curriculum Day will be held on Monday 3rd November. On this day, staff will focus on the science of learning, engagement norms, and the development of our new School Vision, following the recommendations from our recent School Review. This will be an exciting opportunity for our team to work collaboratively and continue shaping the direction of our school for the years ahead.

School Eyecare Program For Years 3-6

The school is pleased to announce that the Student Eyecare Program will be running at the school in Term 4, 2025 for Years 3-6. An optometrist will be onsite during school hours to provide students with a free comprehensive eye examination that is covered through Medicare Australia. 1 in 6 students have eye conditions that go undetected. This is due to the high level of visual demand on their eyes from books, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Every student will receive a full report about their eye health and a prescription will be provided if glasses are required. The prescription can be taken to any optical store to get the glasses made. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity. To sign up, register online at: https://forms.gle/8AYvFqTSfPamZ19p9

Planning For 2026

We are beginning to think about our 2026 classes, which might sound early but we take time and effort to make sure these are as balanced as can be in many different ways.

We do accept parent requests, as long as they are on educational grounds; we don’t accept requests for teachers. These requests are overseen by the principal team rather than classroom teachers, as this allows us to ensure all requests are received and treated fairly and equitably.

All requests must be in writing or email. Please forward all requests to Sue Hartley susan.hartley@education.vic.gov.au directly. Email or written requests are accepted with a cut-off time for submission being 4.00pm on Friday 7th November 2025.

This year our staff will take the following into account when forming classes:

Students' learning needs
Current teacher recommendations
Class balance (number of boys and girls, similar cross-section of achievement levels, etc.)
Parent requests (if able to be fulfilled)
Students' sociogram requests (ie. ‘Who I work well with’)

Parents will be informed of their child’s class and teacher when the end-of-year reports come home.

School Fees

It’s the time of the year when we sit down and review our school budgets and organise books and equipment for the following year. The financial pressure most people are facing at the moment is certainly very real, and it does apply to schools and education as well.

Currently we are sitting at only 46% of SPS families who have paid their annual school fees for the 2025 school year. We have provided all students with equipment (writing books, maths books, pencils, glue sticks, paper and photocopying) throughout the year, regardless of school fee payment status, as per DE policies, and also because we certainly don’t want any child being left out. We are making up the shortfall of fees from our own funds.

We have already placed orders for next year’s classroom supplies and personal items so they can be ready for the beginning of 2026. We would greatly appreciate any contribution towards outstanding 2025 school fees. At this stage of the year, every little bit helps.

Please see Tina or the school leaders if you wish to discuss any issues regarding school fees.

Victorian High-Ability Program

Congratulations to James C for completing the Victorian High-Ability Program in English last term.

James was selected to take part in the Victorian High-Ability Program, which is a program designed for students who have demonstrated ability in English through their NAPLAN results and performance in these subjects at school.

The Victorian High-Ability Program is an extension course running for one school term, where the students meet with like-minded peers at neighbouring Victorian government schools through weekly virtual lessons taught by expert Virtual School Victoria educators.

We wish Amir, Hayden, Dante and Harmony all the best as they complete the Term 4 programs in Maths and English.

Colour Explosion Run 4 Fun Save the Date: Friday 2nd December

Get your Colour on! Scoresby Primary School is hosting a Colour Explosion Run 4 Fun!

Our Colour Explosion Run 4 Fun will be on Friday 2nd December, from 2.40 - 3.30pm.

Not only are we hosting an awesome Colour Explosion Run 4 Fun, but we are also making a difference! Students will have the choice of what cause they would like to transfer their donations to – Carbon Neutral (tree planting), Great Barrier Reef Foundation (coral planting, turtle protection), The Smith Family (reading support) and OzHarvest (providing meals).

Students will receive a sponsorship book with instructions on setting up their cybersafe, online fundraising profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au. This is an entirely online fundraiser; all cash donations must be converted to online donations.

Extra Incentives to Fundraise!

Online Golden Coins – complete fun online tasks to redeem an extra $75 credit towards your chosen cause
Monty the Monstar’s Bonus Prizes – achieve milestones to unlock Monty’s bonus prizes
$10,000 Budget Booster Bonanza Spending Spree for one organisation’s highest fundraising student
Our school will win an extra $5,000 if we have the highest average fundraised amount per student in 2025
A PlayStation 5 Gaming Bundle – see your child’s sponsorship booklet for more!

For more information, please contact Nic Rheumer at nicole.rheumer@education.vic.gov.au or on 9763 7484.

Happy fundraising!

NICOLE RHEUMER

SPS Acting Principal

Happy Birthday To You!

Best wishes to these students who are celebrating their birthday: